Cultural diversity
Religion
About this topic
Religion records a person's stated religious affiliation, including no religion and not stated responses. It is a measure of cultural identity and belief rather than practice or participation.
This topic helps show the religious diversity of an area and can support planning for community facilities, faith-based services, and inclusive engagement. It is best interpreted with ancestry, birthplace, and language, which together provide a broader picture of cultural composition.
Interpretation notes
- This records stated religious affiliation, not attendance or level of religious practice.
- No religion and not stated are part of the overall picture, so interpretation should consider both affiliation and non-response.
Key insight
In 2021, No religion was the most common religious affiliation among residents in South Gippsland (S), accounting for 50.9% (15,552 people). This share was higher than Regional Vic. (44.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 4,610 people and 12.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
South Gippsland (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for South Gippsland (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Vic. and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for South Gippsland (S), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Anglican Church of Australia
Not stated
Uniting Church
Christianity, nfd
Presbyterian
Baptist
Pentecostal, nfd
Buddhism
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+4,610
+12.8pp
Western Catholic
-491
-2.7pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-1,076
-4.5pp
Not stated
-483
-2.2pp
Uniting Church
-530
-2.2pp
Christianity, nfd
+18
0.0pp
Presbyterian
-261
-1.1pp
Baptist
+65
+0.1pp
Pentecostal, nfd
-2
0.0pp
Buddhism
+5
-0.1pp
Data table
Religion for South Gippsland (S). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Vic..
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional Vic.% | Count | % | Regional Vic.% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 15,552 | 50.9% | 44.9% | 10,942 | 38.1% | 33.7% | +4,610 | +12.8pp |
| Western Catholic | 4,503 | 14.7% | 19.7% | 4,994 | 17.4% | 22.7% | -491 | -2.7pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 3,533 | 11.6% | 9.8% | 4,609 | 16.1% | 13.3% | -1,076 | -4.5pp |
| Not stated | 2,492 | 8.2% | 7.7% | 2,975 | 10.4% | 9.8% | -483 | -2.2pp |
| Uniting Church | 1,536 | 5.0% | 4.7% | 2,066 | 7.2% | 6.5% | -530 | -2.2pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 598 | 2.0% | 2.1% | 580 | 2.0% | 2.1% | +18 | 0.0pp |
| Presbyterian | 588 | 1.9% | 2.2% | 849 | 3.0% | 3.2% | -261 | -1.1pp |
| Baptist | 287 | 0.9% | 1.2% | 222 | 0.8% | 1.3% | +65 | +0.1pp |
| Pentecostal, nfd | 170 | 0.6% | 0.7% | 172 | 0.6% | 0.7% | -2 | 0.0pp |
| Buddhism | 166 | 0.5% | 0.9% | 161 | 0.6% | 0.8% | +5 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 30,574 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 28,698 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,876 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.